Just booked first solo trip - Paris, here I come!
 

Well, I've gone and done it! After reading many, many Fodorites' posts on solo travel and admiring and envying them for striking out on their own, I just today made reservations (using FF miles) for seven nights in Paris in October by myself!

I've never traveled alone for any amount of time (other than throughout my home state on weekends), and have wanted to, but never quite had the nerve. Now that I've been to Paris a couple of times and feel like I know the city center quite well, I've decided to just do it. I also made my hotel reservation this morning at the Hotel du College de France, based on recommendations here and reviews on Trip Advisor.
I usually travel with one friend who is a great travel companion, and 1 1/2 years ago, went with five others to Italy. After the Italy trip, I decided "never again" with that many people, and a trip by myself started sounding really appealing. Now that I've made the commitment, it's a little scary, but very exciting. The only thing I'm uneasy about is the dining alone experience that some others also find daunting. Oh well, at least I'm in good company!

I know that I'm gonna get really nervous as the time gets closer, but right now I'm over the moon and will be monitoring Fodors for other solo trip reports.

Congratulations! You will have a wonderful time! I think it's great that you are going to stike out on your own.

I have no doubt that you will manage quite fine.

My only concern is how long you have to wait until October! :)

Hi.

Don't worry about dining alone. Europe is not the U.S. The only person who will find you conspicuous is you. No one will even notice. Those who do notice will merely believe you are mysterious.

B.V.

I'm sooooo jealous! I'm looking to do something similar and on the cheap, but haven't found the right deal yet.

What is it about dining alone that you find daunting? I do it frequently, and although it can sometimes be boring, for the most part it's fine and, I believe, perfectly acceptable. Single people (as in solo, not unmarried) need to eat too! Besides, you'll probably meet people, even if just at the next table, and share their company.

Good for you!

Way to go TravelerGina! I've been to Paris on my own a few times and have enjoyed it. While traveling with others has its benefits, I also appreciate the flexibility that traveling solo brings: Sleep in this morning? sure...stop at a cafe and stay for a couple of cremes, why not...walk around and do nothing today, sounds good...I do try to plan a few "communal" events, like a tour (Pariswalks is one, I also do french ones) so I get some group time.
I also share your concern about eating alone (never do it at home!), but have found that it is no big deal at restaurants/cafes. I have sensed at times that the servers actually are friendlier, more attentive to solo diners. I always bring something to read, like a guidebook or Pariscope magazine, and plan my days during this time. I like the idea that others have of updating your journal at this time, and will try that next time. Believe me, you will see people reading. My one concession to eating solo at a restaurant is that I tend to show up their opening time (~8pm for diner). Some of these places are small, and I figure I'm taking a table for two, but they only get one patron. So I eat (well) and I tell myself they can then give my table to a couple next. Probably nonsensical, I've never felt at all rushed at a restaurant because I was eating "juste moi". I'm slowly starting the planning to go this fall also...and solo.
Enjoy your trip and please report back!
Mike

Good for you!! You won't regret it. I went solo to Paris/France in 2003 for 3 weeks and had a fabulous time. Don't worry about eating alone - trust me it's no big deal. I didn't have any problems getting a good table and service. Actually in a few places, I think I got exceptional service because I was alone. Take a journal with you in case you feel uncomfortable - it helps while you are waiting for the food to arrive. You will have a wonderful time!

Dear TravelerGina,
I went to Paris solo as my first trip after a long hiatus of not traveling at all for about 8 years. I had an absolute ball. My time there were a combination of activity-packed days where I took in more than one museum a day and other days where I was content to eat a sandwich and read a book while sitting on a bench in the Luxembourg Gardens. Oh yes....I had wine for lunch and (predictably) a nice little nap afterwards every day! I would light out on the Metro sometimes just to see another neighborhood, with no particular destination in mind and that was fun too.

The tip I think would be useful for you is to pick, about a day or so after arrival, a congenial cafe which is close to your hotel and which is open pretty much all day and into the evening. Use it as your "local", your place to start or end your days, to write in your journal or do postcards, to have a light meal when you're really tired and don't want to tackle a "real" restaurant. If you are as lucky as I was, the staff will remember you and make you feel at home. After two mornings at the Cafe l'Odeon, the early-shift waiter remembered exactly how I liked my cafe creme and fixed it that way every time thereafter.

The neighborhood you've chosen is great for places to eat and drink. It's also populated late into the night with a largely student clientele, so it does not feel deserted at all.

Hi TG,

Good for you.

>The only thing I'm uneasy about is the dining alone experience that some others also find daunting. <

No problem.

Bring a book and/or your trip journal. You can always set them aside if you meet someone interesting.

I always go to Paris solo. That way I can do whatever I want without being annoyed. Take your time, shop, try on clothes, walk the streets, alleys and parks. Get up when you want, take a nap, stay out all night. ....

It no big deal.

The hardest part sometimes is eating in restaurants. I hate going to crowdwd places because i don't want to feel alone. Here are some dining "Solo" tips...

1. Bring a book, journal or something to occupy you between courses.

2. Eat you big meal at lunch. That way you may save some money and many people will be dining solo when they come from offices, shopping and sightseeing.

3. Scope out a bunch of restarrants before you go.

4. Eat you meals early before the places get crowded. Hit the restaurants right as they open, this is also a god way to land a seat without reservations.

5. Check out my blog from my trip to Paris in November 2004. Not only does it have my day to day activities, but if you click on the tab marked "Paris-Eat", you will find al the restaurants I ate at which are good for solo travelers.

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartparis/

Have fun!

TravelGina - I discovered travelling alone several years ago and many tried to talk me out of it. Actually I was not aware that others travel alone as much till I came across this forum last year. Travelling alone in countries with a well established toursit industry are simple.

Feeling consciousness when dining alone is only the lonely diners state of mind. There is always a travel book to plan the next day and something to write on in case you got tired of people watching or people talking to you. And a restaurant is a culinary experience and keeps one entertained. I came across very good to neutral service in more occasions than biases from the waiters.

YAAAY! Another bird takes to flight!
Aaaah the Freedom. I'll ditto everything everyone has said above.
The "dining alone part"... I do it all the time, here and "there"... coz I choose to, not that I have to.
I truly believe no one takes any time out of their lives to wonder why one is alone. I'm a fairly typical person, I see a woman eating alone I don't give it another thought! I think she's probably on business.
I particularly enjoyed Michel-Paris' and Richardab's comments.
Frankly, I'm always so BUSHED anyway from my day's "work" in Paris, I can't see how I'd keep my eyes open until late late...! <GRIN>
That and I'm always up by 5:30 or 6:00...

TravelerGina - I am leaving the end of April for my 3rd solo trip to Paris. There are times when I wish I had a friend with me but more times than not I prefer being alone. So much to see and do. Something I've never done before but will do this time is take the batobus which runs along the Seine and stops off at different places like Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, etc.

You will do just fine. You already are quite familiar with Paris.

I too am uneasy about dining alone. myself? My main worry when dining in a casual cafe is,is it okay to seat myself, do I wait to be seated.

Richard I have bookmarked your blog on I love Paris, London, etc. Can't wait to start reading it.

Gina have a wonderful time.

Oh, how fun! I also prefer solo travel most times, and I think you will have a terrific time!

As for eating alone? Don't worry about it. Like others have said, bring a book or journal to fill time. But I know that the times I've dined solo in areas outside of where I live, either I get more attention from the wait staff or I end up meeting some one there to have dinner with. Just be open to the new experience and enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

On my last trip to Paris I used lunch and dinner to write my blog, which I posted live via Blackberry. It was also a nice time to sit and write postcards, look at my maps and REST MY FEET!

Thanks, everyone, for the encouragement! I am so excited about having a whole week to experience Paris on my own and at my own pace. Since I've seen all the big attractions, I love the idea of getting up in the morning with no agenda and doing whatever sounds good at that moment.

WillTravel: My friends all agree with me that "the older you get, the faster time goes by", so October should be right around the corner - lol.

Pilchard: Thanks - I like the idea of other diners seeing me as mysterious!

Oregeo: Grabbing a sandwich in a fast food place doesn't bother me, but I've never gone to real restaurant alone and think I would feel a little self-concious for some reason. However, I rarely notice others dining alone, and if I do notice, think nothing of it. So, I guess I'll just step out of my comfort zone into that unfamiliar territory and experience yet another first!

Richard, I too am looking forward to reading your blog on Paris.

I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments and will definitely be putting your suggestions to good use.

Take notes on your food at dinner. It gives you something to do if you get tried of people-watching. And sometimes your waiter will think you're a very important restaurant critic.

I had my first solo trip a couple of months ago. The dining alone turned out to be no big deal at all. I wasn't bored and I wasn't self-conscious--quite a surprise.

Have fun!

Ahem, *tired* of people-watching.

As far as I know, you cannot be tried for people-watching in France.

Like I said earlier....

Eating at restaurants during off peak hours is no big issue. If you arrive early it will be likey that there will not be a lot of people in the restaurant as Parisians tend to eat a bit later.

In my blog there are a few places that come to mind which would be good for solo dining...

Cozy - this is a small casual place with a good set price menu and warm atmosphere. Just seemed to be locals having lunch, nothing pretentious.

Le Caveau de l'Isle - One of my favorites in Paris on the Ile St-Louis. Nice relaxing atmosphere, friendly, not crowded at lunch. Delicious food.

Le Relais de Saint-Paul - Near the St Paul Metro station in the Marais. Very friendly atmosphere, tables aren't close together and very well prepared food.

L'Endroit - This is in the Marais near the Bastille. It is also my NEW favorite restaurant in Paris. I consider this a wine bistro because they seem specialize in good wine with your meal. The atmosphere is casual and the owner speaks good English and is happy to assist. They have an English menu too. I went here during the weeknight and it did get very busy. I went back on the weekend and you couldn't get near the place, it was packed! I really thought the food was the best i had in most of my trip to Paris.

If you go to my blog the adresses are included with the info I wrote about each restaurant.

http://richardab.typepad.com/iheartp...eat/index.html

One other thing I will add, if you are shopping or near Galleries Lafayette go to their food halls (Lafayette Gourmet) and have lunch. Scattered throughout the food halls are counters where you can get a meal at a fixed price. For example, in the meat area you can get a meal featuring meats, Seafood near the seafood counter plus there are counters for Italian food, chesses, coffee and last time I was there I think I saw one with Moroccan foods.

Eat well!

TravelerGina,

You will have a wonderful time in Paris. I travel solo most of the time and definitely PREFER it. My husband travels occasionally but doesn't get into it much, and I took a coworker last trip. Never again. Travel is too precious not to mention too expensive to run the risk of a bad travel companion.

I still remember the feeling of absolute freedom and joy on my first solo trip. I went to London with a day trip to Bath and 2 nights in Edinburgh.
I sat on top of the Guide Friday bus in the sunshine and felt absolutely giddy.

I have traveled Paris and other parts of France alone many times now. I even drive solo now without a second thought. I eat more at cafes and bistros. I have never felt odd eating alone and never felt treated differently. I love to people watch.

I am also going to Paris solo in October and this time treated myself to an apartment in St. Germain. I also used my ff miles and splurged for Business Elite, a first for me. I love wandering and going exactly at my own pace.

Have a wonderful trip. You will do great, especially with all the support and great information on Fodor's.

Hey, maybe we'll bump into each other and just give each other the "thumbs up", I'll also be there in October by myself. My first time in Paris, but not my first time traveling alone. Years ago, I went to Hawaii, Tahiti, Martha's Vineyard, and most recently London by myself. But then again, I've always enjoyed spending time alone, I like to do photography while traveling, and it's so much better by myself. No one asking me why I'm taking the 20th different shot of this one flower, etc.. :) Since you've already been to Paris, you won't have that obstacle, I'm sure you'll have a great time.

Richard: Thank you so much for taking the time to post those restaurants. I will definitely make a point of trying a couple of them. And I've already decided to try the food hall at Galleries Lafayette.

ggnga and lyb: How cool that you will both be solo in Paris in October too! I'll be there from the 5th through the 12th, so if either of you are there during that time, perhaps we could meet for a drink.

Now that I'm getting my mind wrapped around doing this trip alone, I am getting so excited. Right after I hit the "enter" button to complete my flight reservation, I thought "What am I doing?" But with all the encouragement I've gotten on this thread, I know it will all be good and I expect to have the time of my life!

Life is too short...

Hello, I leave on the 6th, but would really like to meet for a drink on the 5th if that would work. Hope lyb could join.

TravelerGina,

You go girl! I have been to Paris several times and always with my husband. He is a wanderful travel partner and loves Paris but my secret desire is to go to Paris once alone! What a treat to experience things as you would like! Be sure and buy some wonderful French bath products and enjoy an evening of luxury in the bath (a bottle of wine would be a nice addition)!

aj: I like the way you think - a girl after my own heart!

ggnga: A drink on the 5th sounds great - we can toast to your last night and my first night in the City of Light. If lyb can join us, all the better. We'll have to work something out as the time gets closer.

Congratulations! And I think Paris is a great city for a first solo trip.

Since you specifically mention the dining alone issue, here are a few tips from my experience. Eating at more casual family style places is often more comfortable (cafes, bistros, ethnic restaurants). For nicer restaurants go early in the dinner hour. Take a paperback novel (to read or as a prop to make you more comfortable) or better yet a local newspaper or entertainment listings magazine (practice reading French even if you don't).

Look for to-go foods. I've had some fabulous dinners in my hotel room when I was too tired to go back out, having bought a bottle of wine and gourmet items from a deli or bakery earlier (clean up neatly as some hotels frown on food in the room).

Not sure the weather in October but eating lunch in any of the beautiful parks with a pre-made sandwich from a bakery or bread and cheese from a shop.

I sort of agree with the above poster....

-eating in the parks is fun.

-bistros, brasseries, cafes are best for solo. "restaurants" are fancy and pretentious anyway....

-eating in your hotel room sucks, unless its a yummy pastry you bought at a local boulangerie. I always buy on in the middle of the day and keep it in my room til night for a snack.

-get the book BISTROS OF PARIS by Barbara Hamberger. Its the best book for bistro recommendations that I have seen.

good for you Gina, I did three weeks in Provence alone, one of my best trips but not Paris YET!
My first trip to Paris was with a girlfriend and that was a disaster, tho she brought home a bigger paycheck and inherited money, all she wanted to eat was yogurt and crepes, wouldn't spend money in a good restaurant but would spend lavishly shopping. I was miserable and was grateful when she came down with a bug for two days so I could dine properly. I don't go to Paris to eat yogurt.

I never heard of the Hotel du College de France that you are staying in but it gets decent recommendations from Trip Advisor. I stayed in the Hotel Jeanne d'Arc last November and thought is was a good value, but horrid hotel even though it gets good reviews. I think its so cheap that people put up with the thin towels, scratchy sheets and old furniture. Have you stayed there before?

In the past I have also stayed at the Britannique (loved it and the location), Relais du Louvre (small rooms, good staff, nice location) and Castex (interesting location near the Bastille, decent rooms, budget property).

Perhaps you have a preference to staying in the Latin Quarter, which is a fine location. I don't really like this area because when I was a student traveling in Paris I stayed here and did not enjoy my stay very much. Bad memories. Of course I was much poorer and couldn't enjoy Paris for what it was worth.

Although I hated the Jeanne d'Arc (I stayed in better hotels when I was poor), I LOVED staying in the Marais because of its character and charm. I always felt like I was part of the neighborhood.

Just a tip....

While staying at the Jeanne d'Arc I popped into the Libertel Grand Turenne which was right around the corner to view a room and I was pleasantly surprised. They seemed compact but very clean. This hotel is part of the Accor chain which also runs Sofitels, Novotels and Red Rood Inns!

If you book at accorhotels.com I have seen special internet rates at this hotel as low as 79 euro a night (for a single) which is a great deal.

Oh I forgot one small catch...

The low internet rates at the Libertel Grand Turenne must be paid in full and are NON REFUNDABLE.

Richard: Both times in Paris, we stayed on the Right Bank, in the Opera area - our metro station was Richelieu Drouot. This time I wanted to be in the Latin Quartier, preferably on a small side street, so Hotel du College de France seemed to fit the bill, and the staff has been very pleasant to deal with. Next time I think I'd like to try the Marais area, somewhere near the lovely Place des Vosges.

i believe richard has disagreed with me on that one before (joys of eating in a hotel room).

sometimes i simply prefer the solitude and maybe watching local TV or reading the local paper while eating, not having to dress up, not having to interact, not having to walk one more step, at the end of a long hard day (!) exploring a new city.

To each his own, right? Damn, I sit in front of the TV everynight with my plate on my lap. When I am on vacation I like to be served!

Well, since I'm the "expert" who wrote the new book that Fodors is featuring on fodors.com home page--Solo Traveler--I think I'll add my two euros to this wonderful thread.
The advice so far is just great. I would add that if you're uneasy about dining solo, just take it in stages. Start at informal places like cafes. Go on to dining rooms or restaurants in your lodging (book with that in mind). When you're ready for a big-deal restaurant, use the previous ideas about keeping busy, but I'd add one more thing. Enjoy the fact that people will notice you. Play the diva! It can be great fun. (I like to wear sunglasses!)

TravelerGina, I just want you to know that you are my inspiration! After reading your post, I couldn't take it anymore! I found a great August airfare from Los Angeles and I, too, am going solo to Paris! THANKS!!!

BTW, my husband thanks you, too!

Irego! Yaaay! That's great news too.

As to the Hotel du College de France,
I believe that that hotel was "tooted" very favorably by Rudi Maxa in one of his diatribes on Paris. Nice pictures were in the article too.

I am starting to seeth with envy... mmmmm... how to get me over there. I wonder how much change is down in the cushions? Mmmmm...

Back off, Ira - she's a Fodors editor, running her own thread on the site on solo travel.

Gina: You must get the book "Without Reservations" by Alice Steinbach. She's a Pulitzer-prize winning Baltimore newspaper columnist who decided to take off on her own for a sojurn in Europe (Paris, London, Italy) and the book is the chronicle of that trip. I think you will love it (I did!) and it'll encourage you in this exciting solo venture!

(I know, I know - I've made this recommendation on a few other threads, but I just can't help sharing my enthusiasm for a really good read.)

Lea_Lane: Playing the diva sounds like fun. I'll have to get some new stylish sunglasses to peer from behind!

Iregeo: Congratulations! I'm so glad if I was in part responsible for you booking your trip! I don't know about you, but it makes me feel "so grown up" to be taking such a big step by myself. I've been reading everyone's trip reports this week (and there are quite a few), picturing myself walking two steps behind them as they wandered the streets of Paris. I just know we're both going to have a grand time!

tuckerdc: I've written down your suggestion of "Without Reservations" and will be picking it up this weekend at Barnes & Noble. Thanks so much for the recommendation!

I must say, without the Fodors board and the people on it, I never would have dreamed of taking a trip such as this. You guys are the best!!!

TravelerGina, good for you! I did my first solo trip to Paris in October of 2001, for 12 days. I was hooked, so went back in May the same year, another 12 days. I could never tire of it - and being solo is a real treat! Since then I've been (still solo, as I love it that way) to the Loire Valley, Provence, and Alsace - and am going in May to the Dordogne. I think taking that first step of "going alone" can be daunting - but you'll never regret it, I'm sure!